# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=252 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 253 --- ## [No Muslim Pope?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-muslim-pope/93437)
**Author:** [@yonderboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yonderboy)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2001, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-muslim-pope/93437 "2001-11-16T14:15:04Z")
While I don’t want to get involved in the argument over what the Muslims believe, what the Qur’an says, what Islam is, etc., I do want to make a remark about the statement that “there’s no ‘official jihad declarer,’ nor … --- ## [Aw, c'mon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-cmon/92966)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Booker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Booker)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2001, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-cmon/92966 "2001-11-16T00:12:26Z")
I hate to have my first post doubting The Master, but the environmental chemist in “New Car Smells” can’t be Dr. Ozonoff. --- ## [gods' balls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-balls/93588)
**Author:** [@Tom\_Arctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Arctus)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2001, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-balls/93588 "2001-11-15T19:49:47Z")
In addition to Pan, mentioned in the rerun column about Satan, there are plenty of fertility figures from religions around the world with exaggerated sexual characteristics. A few examples: – Pan’s cohorts, also picture… --- ## [Smallpox](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallpox/92415)
**Author:** [@RufusB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RufusB)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2001, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallpox/92415 "2001-11-14T22:10:16Z")
I was always told from my mother (a nurse) that if you had ever contracted chickenpox that you built up an immunity to smallpox. Other sources seem to support my mother. Anyone else ever hear this? --- ## [morning sickness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morning-sickness/92405)
**Author:** [@AgiaSophia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AgiaSophia)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2001, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morning-sickness/92405 "2001-11-14T19:44:48Z")
Three thoughts, in increasing order of seriosity: Cassie wrote to “Straight Dope” and promised to name her baby after her correspondent if… Does that mean the baby will be named “Straight Dope Smith (or whatever)”? … --- ## [Rules for declaring Jihad](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-for-declaring-jihad/92416)
**Author:** [@chunda21](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chunda21)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2001, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-for-declaring-jihad/92416 "2001-11-14T19:34:24Z")
Anyone who declares a jihad (other than in self-defence), ESPECIALLY against Jews and/or Christians, is making a political (not a religious) statement. This statement is either “I am above the Qu’ran and don’t need to fo… --- ## [Article on Excommunication is a bit off](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-on-excommunication-is-a-bit-off/93176)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2001, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-on-excommunication-is-a-bit-off/93176 "2001-11-13T21:47:19Z")
In this article Cecil wrote: According to this site that would seem to be wrong. Encyclopedia.Com had this to say about it: From the above I gather that being excommunicated in no way helps your admission into heav… --- ## [If the earth stopped spinning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-earth-stopped-spinning/90057)
**Author:** [@TiggaWigga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TiggaWigga)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2001, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-earth-stopped-spinning/90057 "2001-11-13T06:34:17Z")
The truth is if the earth stopped spinning (rotates areound 2000 mph) anything that was not planted to the ground strong enough would start to travel the speed the earth was (2000 mph) which wouldnt be good would it? its… --- ## [Sperm cell DNA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sperm-cell-dna/92457)
**Author:** [@sford](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sford)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2001, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sperm-cell-dna/92457 "2001-11-13T04:10:37Z")
I was browsing some past mailbags and happened on: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mvasectdna.html It got me to thinking about the value of sperm cells in DNA fingerprinting. If I remember correctly, a sperm cell h… --- ## [Subliminal messages](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subliminal-messages/92292)
**Author:** [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2001, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subliminal-messages/92292 "2001-11-12T23:02:56Z")
Cecil has done a few articles on subliminal messages, such as Do subliminal tapes played while you sleep really work? and Are subliminal messages secretly embedded in advertisements? This article says that some learning… --- ## [How do you make a Zombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-a-zombie/92129)
**Author:** [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2001, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-a-zombie/92129 "2001-11-12T22:07:24Z")
First, you get her drunk! A book title, I think, from Jack Paar.(The "how do you…part.) http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a990521.html Hey, don’t blame me, Cecil brought this up. I never knew he gave great “straigh… --- ## [MOVED THREAD: smallpox](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-thread-smallpox/92834)
**Author:** [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2001, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-thread-smallpox/92834 "2001-11-12T01:17:57Z")
The thread smallpox begun by \*\*dr\_france \*\* has been moved to the Comments on Cecil’s Columns forum. --- ## [morning sickness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morning-sickness/92192)
**Author:** [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2001, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morning-sickness/92192 "2001-11-11T08:32:15Z")
I dunno. I never got it at all. It was quite an easy pregnancy. I’ dheard crackers helped. Is that because they are bland? --- ## [Dew Points](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dew-points/90992)
**Author:** [@FRB.Rapho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FRB.Rapho)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2001, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dew-points/90992 "2001-11-09T18:53:28Z")
This may be off, but it seems the Dew Point began to be reported as an indication of the likely lowest overnight temperature. The Dew Point differs from Rel. Humidity, but it is a function of RH. The reason - I assume - … --- ## [Morning sickness : likely hormones](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morning-sickness-likely-hormones/92296)
**Author:** [@maralinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maralinn)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2001, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morning-sickness-likely-hormones/92296 "2001-11-09T03:07:19Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mmorningsickness.html I thought there was a good deal of research correlating birth control use with “morning sickness,” indicating that it probably is hormonal. (And I’m speaking fro… --- ## [Morning Sickness - Fetal Gender Difference?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morning-sickness-fetal-gender-difference/92236)
**Author:** [@IzzyR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IzzyR)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2001, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morning-sickness-fetal-gender-difference/92236 "2001-11-08T20:52:21Z")
I wonder if John, in the course of researching Why do pregnant women get morning sickness?, or if anyone else knows if there is any basis to the widely held belief that women who are expecting girls are apt to have more … --- ## [Homing Animals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homing-animals/91119)
**Author:** [@DogMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DogMom)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2001, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homing-animals/91119 "2001-11-07T06:34:20Z")
Just a few more bits of info re: homing pigeons. I work with a guy who breeds racing pigeons, and he’s informed me that: They are trained. You let them fly around their home (called a “loft”) until they start to recog… --- ## [Hot dog!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-dog/91900)
**Author:** [@Big\_Iron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Iron)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2001, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-dog/91900 "2001-11-07T00:12:58Z")
Pardon the tardiness of this reply, but I must have missed Mr. Zotti’s mailbag item on hot dogs ( http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mhotdog.html )the first time around. The article is basically correct, but I feel com… --- ## [Chlorine as a cleaner](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chlorine-as-a-cleaner/91672)
**Author:** [@ASBEntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASBEntropy)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2001, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chlorine-as-a-cleaner/91672 "2001-11-05T22:13:43Z")
I agree with Cecil that using a chlorine-based cleaner is a trade off, but one I can live with. What he didn’t say, in mentioning amonia-based cleaners is to NEVER NEVER NEVER mix an amonia-based cleaner with a chlorine … --- ## [Why Are Americans Ruining "our" language?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-americans-ruining-our-language/91326)
**Author:** [@royjwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/royjwood)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2001, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-americans-ruining-our-language/91326 "2001-11-04T07:05:43Z")
First of all, it is not “your” language. Nuff Said!!! Secondly, Whereas y’all snotty poms have destroyed such a lovely language as English, it is the Americans who perfected it. Further, had it not been for the fact tha… --- ## [Civet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civet/91279)
**Author:** [@Thoth-Hermes93](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thoth-Hermes93)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2001, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civet/91279 "2001-11-03T19:14:52Z")
In response to Cecil’s reply to the question regarding the torture of civets, I wish to point out that English perfumer F.V.Wells has commented that it was not necessary to “torture” the animal to obtain its civet paste.… --- ## [Loonie Tunes and merrie Melodies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loonie-tunes-and-merrie-melodies/91130)
**Author:** [@Oldmaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oldmaven)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2001, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loonie-tunes-and-merrie-melodies/91130 "2001-11-02T15:13:36Z")
By the late 1940s, at least, I believe the WB cartoon series had merged, and were labeled “Loonie Tunes and Merrie Melodies.” Unfortunately, both the Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon have other cartoons on at the moment, … --- ## [Remote Viewing in Hawaii](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-viewing-in-hawaii/87378)
**Author:** [@Petra\_en\_Paradiso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Petra_en_Paradiso)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2001, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-viewing-in-hawaii/87378 "2001-11-01T15:30:34Z")
I read the article from January 2000 on military remote viewing, and it seemed a wee bit critical. :slight\_smile: I am a member of an active remote viewing group here in Hawaii that has a couple dozen viewers who are en… --- ## [Civil Construction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-construction/88731)
**Author:** [@Sei\_taer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sei_taer)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2001, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-construction/88731 "2001-11-01T01:25:08Z")
In My years as a civil engineering inspector, I have noticed a complete lack of knowledge in the general public about certain civil aspects of life in general. For instance, many people don’t realize what happens when yo… --- ## [Church Keys](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/church-keys/939)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2001, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/church-keys/939 "2001-10-31T17:07:54Z")
The stereotypical church key, key to the city or other humongous key looks pretty much like an normal key at the business end, but the handle is usually in the form of an ornate, hollow ring. On your standard issue bott… --- ## [CE mark](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ce-mark/88229)
**Author:** [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2001, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ce-mark/88229 "2001-10-31T15:22:42Z")
Hi Cecil, The CE in “CE mark” stands for Communeaute Europeenne, whis translated into English is European Community. Just to make sure the Dope is straight! Cheers! --- ## [Matching diseases](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matching-diseases/90392)
**Author:** [@Lance\_the\_Advancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_the_Advancer)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2001, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matching-diseases/90392 "2001-10-31T06:34:14Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a990507.html Ok Cecil says this: “The practice of trying to match diseases with well-known figures in history or folklore has a long and not entirely reputable history.” What are s… --- ## [Aware under anesthesia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aware-under-anesthesia/90625)
**Author:** [@Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heart_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2001, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aware-under-anesthesia/90625 "2001-10-31T05:17:10Z")
In browsing the archives as I’m wont to do, I came across an oldie but a goodie: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a990226.html …and I thought, that’s happened to me! Twice! Though I was not entirely paralyzed… The… --- ## [famous porphyrians](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-porphyrians/90238)
**Author:** [@dr\_france](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dr_france)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2001, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-porphyrians/90238 "2001-10-31T04:54:59Z")
porphyria was not so named until the 1960’s, and as cecil has told us was not likely to be the source of the vampire legends, but history records several notable persons who appear to have suffered from porphyria and its… --- ## [ending of Job](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ending-of-job/90562)
**Author:** [@gump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gump)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2001, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ending-of-job/90562 "2001-10-31T00:42:29Z")
Kudos, Dex! Being a biblical theme, you are sure to get some complaints. You did a well-researched, well-reasoned, and well-balanced job. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=251) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=253)